Guillermo, you are spot-on with your assessment of the revolvers.
I have a Ruger SP101 in .327 Federal. Great cartridge (gives magnum performance at 20% less recoil than .357); however, the Ruger's double action trigger sucks and it is a bulky and heavy revolver for its size. However, it will still be around when everything except cockroaches disappear.
The pick of the litter is either a Colt Agent or Detective Special. Both are now out of production for a looooong while. If you see one of the later ones, snatch it up. It will be worth sending to Colt for a tune-up. I sent my Agent back To Colt for it's usual 1000 round tune-up a couple of years ago and they did a bang-up job on it.
F.Y.I. The factory only has parts for the most recent Colts. They sold off their old gun parts inventories to third party suppliers years ago.
The lighter alloy S&W J-Frames are absolutely brutal to shoot with .357 magnum loads. Period. Translation: It is hard to hit consistently with them and they are an expert's gun requiring lots of instruction and practice to truly master.
I routinely pack an S&W 386 Night Guard (24 ounce 7-shot alloy .357 Magnum) as my main CCW. This weapon really impressed me. It is easy to wear all day and it has chamfered charging holes in the cylinder to facilitate speed loaders and it comes equipped with tritium night sights that glow in the dark. They are really easy to see and fast to acquire. Plus the fixed rear Cylinder & Slide combat rear sight is regulated for 158 grain bullets pushed at magnum velocities and will shoot to point of aim with those loads. It will not get knocked out of adjustment either.
I also carry a speed loader or two loaded with 125 grain JHP anti-personnel loads. The compact factory supplied rubber grips aid in controllability greatly, and though it is a hand-full with magnums, I passed a Police qualifications course with mine right out of the box with heavy 158 grain JSP loads (I carry them for small black bear and hawgs around where I live). Like I said, this particular revolver really impressed me.
It is equally important to get a quality holster and belt to carry your future gun. Being able to comfortably wear your weapon means you actually have it handy when you need it. Stay away from the cheap floppy nylon abominations that are out there. Look at Galco or DeSantis or El Paso Saddlery for the good stuff or you will be picking your gun up off the floor at Wal-Mart with the security guy eye-balling you after it fell out. Rudy Lozano at Black Hills Leather (
www.blackhillsleather.com) has made several rigs and ammo slides for me over the years. He does excellent work.
Tim Sundles over at Buffalo Bore (
https://www.buffalobore.com/) can fix you up with some quality .38 Special ammo for whatever revolver you finally choose.